Soroptimists use romantic fundraiser to help women

Chocolates and champagne are synonymous with Valentine's Day, and for the Soroptimist International Club of Bigfork they are also a great way to raise funding for organizations that help women all over the world and help local couples have a romantic evening together.

SICB is hosting their tenth annual Champagne, Chocolate, and You fundraiser at Mountain Lake Lodge, south of Bigfork on highway 35, on Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This is SCIB's biggest fundraiser of the year, raising over $4,000 last year with over 120 guests.

The money raised by this event, and others, goes toward providing services and programs in the areas of domestic violence, cancer awareness, scholarships, promoting math and science skills for girls, and preventing trafficking of women and children. 

“We try to give back and help women to educate themselves, whether it's going back to college, supporting themselves or doing things to make their lives easier so they can go back to school or work,” Bigfork Soroptimist's Club President Susan Olson said.

Kalispell, Whitefish and Polson have their own soroptimist clubs as well.

The Bigfork chapter of soroptimists focuses primarily on local causes, but also assists with global projects. Some of the organizations to benefit from SCIB's work include Limbs for Life, Expanding Your Horizons, Abbie Shelter, Save a Sister, and LEAP.

Expanding Your Horizons is a one-day event in April to get young female students interested in math and science subjects.

“It's been very satisfying, given me self-satisfaction and the opportunity to give to so many different organizations that help girls and to meet wonderful women in the community,” soroptimist Nancy Fratt said.

This year's theme for Champagne, Chocolate, and You is “An Affair to Remember,” and will include hors' d oeuvres, champagne and gourmet truffles as well as a silent auction and a grand raffle.

All of the auction and raffle items are from local businesses and include spa services, art, gift baskets, jewelry, free nights at local lodging, dinners for two at local restaurants, and other romantic gifts to go with Valentine's Day.

Champagne, Chocolate, and You is intended to be a romantic social cocktail hour for guests, singles and couples over 21-years-old, to mingle during a chocolate and wine tasting. As guests leave, the women will be given roses.

“You don't have to have a valentine to have a good, but you might find one,” Fratt said.

SCIB's next fund raising event will be a margarita mix-off for guests to do a margarita tasting with local bars at Tall Pine in Bigfork. No official date is set for the mix-off, but it is anticipated for around the beginning of May to correspond with Cinco de Mayo.

Tickets for Champagne, Chocolate, and You are still available at the event, along with raffle tickets as well. For more information, call Susan Olson at 406-471-4048 or email sibigfork@soroptimist.net.